There was no confirmed source which Company has first came out the idea of an
optical extender that can be use between a working lens and camera body to increase
the focal length of the lens in use. But it was believed to be third party lens manufacturer
that has pioneered with such brilliant idea for photographers. The theory for such
a compact device is, it can double or triples the focal length of the lens in use
which is an effective cost saving method and greatly improves mobility for photographers.
Although some of these offering have already emerged and getting popular among amateurs
towards the beginning of the '70 but Nikon has adopted a cautious approach to such
idea as meeting high standards of mechanical and optical quality was not easy and
more importantly, they must be designed so as to affect Nikkor lens performance as
little as possible. It was not until 1976 that they have finally developed its first
version of the two 2x teleconverters (the TC-1, TC-2 with full diaphragm and meter
coupling in a non-Ai lens coupling design, similar devices introduced at later stages
which has a revised Ai lens coupling system was termed as TC-200 and TC-300, the
Ai-S version were called TC-201 and TC-301respectively ) with multi-layer lens coatings
and made them available to the public.

Such optical
extender, or more affectionately referred as "Teleconverter", acts as a
negative lens group and extends the focus point of the converging light rays further
back. Thus, a moderate focal length such as a 200mm telephoto lens may be "converted"
into a 400mm super-telephoto optic. Both TC-1 and TC-2 (Ai TC-200, TC-300 and Ai-S
TC-201, TC-301) are 2X extender which was designed to serve Nikkor lenses with focal
length below 200mm and beyond 300mm as optical designs and maximum lens speed for
both series of lenses may be different and demand for such differentiation of converters.
In 1978, Nikon has again developed a 1.4X teleconverter which proves 40% lens extension
to primary lens for some of their selective Nikkor super-telephoto lenses either
as a dedicated companion on specific super-tele Nikkor lenses or can be use them
individually while converter with 1.6X extension was only being introduced much later
in 1984. Incidentally, it was also Nikon's first AF teleconverter.

However, there
are some advantages and a number of disadvantages when these devices are used in
combination with a primary lens. Firstly, teleconverter
not only multiplies focal length, but they also multiply the f-number of the prime
lens as once mounted, some
degree of light illumination for the working lens is lost and the actual maximum
aperture of the lens is effectively "reduced" by multiples. For an instance,
if a converter is used onto a Nikkor 200mm f/4.0s telephoto lens, the
lens will lost 2X illumination by a factor of two times i.e. 2 stops (the 1.4X 's
TC-14 lost light by 1-stop) which means using
tele-extenders may force you to use shutter speeds that are slower than you prefer.
For an
instance, if given the preferred shutter speed for any given scene is a constant
value (for an example, the breeze is strong and you think 1/125 sec would be the
ideal shutter speed to minimize possible blurry image caused by movement during exposure)
the lens may become a 400mm f/8.0 lens. To offset such negative effect, it is best
to use in combination with a prime lens with moderately fast maximum lens speed.
However, with today's many high resolution film types, the right choice of faster
film types is another alternative solution. Other than TC-1 and TC-2, all subsequent
tele-converters produced by Nikon will couple fully to both the camera's metering
and automatic diaphragm mechanisms and a single converter generally fits many lenses
and thus it can be very convenient to use and its compact size making them easy to
carry around as an good supplementary optical accessory to any prime lens.

Credit: Images of the Nikkor TC-14B downloaded from NikonUSA website. Images of the
Nikkor TC-14A and TC-14C used pending permission(s) as I cannot wait to meet self-set
deadline for broadcasting. If you have any original images of this TCs for me to
use them in this section, please mail them to me to substitute
them.

The decrease
of effective working aperture by 2 stops may be too drastic and proved to be unfavorable
for many serious Nikkor users, in particular where maximum aperture of most popular
super telephoto lenses have comparable smaller maximum aperture than other lenses
of shorter focal lengths. Nikon thus, has provided a good solution with an Ai 1.4X
TC-14 teleconverter in 1978 specifically to be used with telephoto Nikkor lenses.
An interesting aspect of the TC-14 (A, B and TC-14C***)
is, it only magnifies focal length of the prime lens by a factor of 1.4X BUT the
f-number by merely ONE f-stop ! So, say if such a matched extender is used with a
Nikkor
600mm f/5.6 EDIF
lens, it will increase the focal length to 840mm while the effective aperture will
stopped down to only f/8.0. In addition, TC-14 series of teleconverter have been
designed to be extremely compact, flat and light weight, all these positive elements
have greatly enhance and extend the functionality and practicality of telephoto lenses.
Further, some selective Nikkor lenses with shorter focal length (and zoom lenses
where applicable with respective TC-14 model) may also be used. There are a few TC-14
models - other than the original TC-14, BOTH TC-14A and TC-14B were introduced in
1983 to serve more precisely to many groups of MF-Nikkor lenses which include Nikon
Series-E lenses, Reflex-Nikkor, Zoom-Nikkor lenses and some selective high speed
Nikkor lenses (see respective sections for more info).

Note: What are the differences ? Since BOTH TC-1(TC-200, TC-201) and
TC-2 (TC-300, TC-301) multiply lens focal length and f-number by factor of 2. TC-1(TC-200,
TC-201) is for use with lenses that are without a deeply recessed rear elements design,
usually found in those Nikkor lenses under 200mm focal length while the latter TC-2
(TC-300, TC-301) is for use with a different group of Nikkor optic that has a design
of recessed rear elements popularly found in Nikkor telephoto lenses above 300mm
focal length.

However, an
interesting aspect is, it can maintain the same focusing ability as the prime lens
in used. Which means to say - the
minimum focusing distance of the camera lens is unaffected by the presence of a tele-extender.
So, the
minimum focusing of the Nikkor 200mm f/4.0's 2m (6 ft.) to infinity (OO) will remain
unaffected even if it is a "converted" 400mm lens. So, depends on priorities,
sometimes an advantage
because it allows larger images on the film. It allows you to apply its unique optical behavior
in many other applications such close-up photography, for an instance, a close-up
Micro-Nikkor
105mm f/2.8s
lens may become a 210mm f/5.6 close focus lens while its superior close focusing
capability of the Micro-Nikkor lens is still retained while at the same time, extends
a more comfortable working distance between subject of interest and the photographer.In certain ways, the viewfinder of the camera will also be dimmed slightly due
to light lost which may at times making the split image rangefinder darken and it
is good to select a appropriate focusing screen type*.

It certainly
sounds like a brilliant idea a teleconverter is a must-owned item for every photographer,
huh ? Well, If such was the case, all lenses should have packaged with such a device
in the box but Companies usually do not practice such a move - mainly due to commercial
reasons which may affect sales of other prime lenses and also because many converters,
regardless how these matched converters have been claimed by respective manufacturers
that optically they have been designed to approach that of the original lens but
generally, it does suffer from some optical ills as it is not possible to match every
lens with different optical design with a converter in place to ensure overall definition
for the prime lens not being affected at all. Thus, regardless what lens is used
with a converter in place, there will be be slightly decreased in their overall optical
performance compared to the original lens alone. Well, although such differences
may not be visible in a normal course unless being enlarged significantly but to
some purists, such thoughts may affect one's decision Besides, sometimes, it may
also adds with more flare in some unfavorable situations as more lens elements are
within the optical path during an exposure. So, if
you buy one, buy from a reputable manufacturer and although sometimes I'd love to
believe cheap thing can be good but in this area, I would rather advised you - don't
buy the cheapest.

The first teleconverter
that offers 1.6X extension was debuted along with Nikon F3AF SLR camera in 1983/4. An amazing
feat is, with F3AF, it can also "convert" all MANUAL FOCUS Nikkor lenses
from 24mm to 300mm focal length with an aperture of f/2.0 or faster into a autofocus
lens.

General
perception of users towards using teleconverter is, It is always advisable to use
a smaller**
lens
aperture to increase definition and minimize chances of flare as most often, except
in fairly bright lighting, it is quite difficult stopping the aperture to smaller
value as the compensated decreasing of working aperture would mean it often needs
to use a maximum aperture of the lens in use in order to maintain a workable shutter
speed to minimize camera shake. Whatever it is, teleconverter are very popular among
amateurs but they are also quite often being used in many professional applications
as it offers a cheap, practical means of doubling focal length and easy to carry
around However, it is not entirely a solution provider, so use them wisely.

Lastly, as
this website is only confined to feature various MF Nikon Tele-Converters, the rest
of the Nikon AF versions will be addressed as and when it relates in future sections
that follows.

Important
Note: * Sometimes,
certain combinations of various lenses, teleconverter(s) and focusing screen(s) used
on respective Nikon SLRs may require additional exposure compensation,
where applicable. The leaflet that comes along with the hardware may outlined the
requirements.**
When
used with certain lenses, there may be occasional uneven exposure if aperture is
set smaller than f/11 or beyond and/or in
some cases, may cause vignetting of image.*** The TC-14C was designed
specifically as a dedicated matching Tele-Converter for the ultra-high speed Nikkor
300mm f/2.0s
telephoto lens, it was supplied as a packaged accessory.

| Previous| Next| Original versions
of the Nikon Tele-Converter(s) TC-1 and TC-2

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.